Top two to clash in Open final

World's best to do battle in China's premier event after easy semi wins

The much-anticipated rematch of this year's Australian Open final will light up the National Tennis Stadium at the China Open finale on Sunday night.

Making the final in Beijing for the first time in her career, Maria Sharapova will meet Victoria Azarenka, who has beaten her three times on hard court in their four battles this year, to compete for $848,000 in prize money and 1,000 ranking points.

Russian Sharapova has seen fans in China chanting for her during practice sessions and is keen to bag the title for herself and her local cheer squad.

"I really wanted to do well and get to the final stage of this tournament because I haven't been to the final here," the world No 2 said after thrashing local star Li Na, 6-4, 6-0, in their semifinal on Saturday. "I was hoping from the first round on I'd really step it up and get better."

Although the crowd turned its cheers towards Li in the semis, the Russian accepted the change in a positive way.

"Of course you feel the energy change a little bit, but it didn't affect me so much," she said. "I have been a part of so many of those situations, that is understandable. I really thought that they were more for her than against me all in all, they were pretty respectful of both sides."

Who's going to draw more fans' cheers on the final night remains a mystery, but Azarenka holds the better head-to-head record and, maybe, the mental edge.

After thrashing the Russian in straight sets to claim her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Azarenka then defeated Sharapova twice at Indian Wells (final) and the US Open (semis), but lost this year's clay match-up in Stuttgart.

However, she says recent success will matter for little on Sunday.

"Tomorrow is going to be another case, you know, fighting for the title," the current world No 1 said after knocking off French ninth seed Marion Bartoli, 6-4, 6-2, in the other semi.

"In the final, anything can happen. Maria is an excellent player. She is a huge fighter. Having to face somebody like her in the final is a privilege you expect the best players to be in the final."

Azarenka holds a 6-4 record in the duo's 10 title clashes since 2007, but she plays down that statistical edge.

"There are no secrets tomorrow. Maria and I just know each other really well. I am sure she is really motivated. It's going to be a match-up with not too many surprises and a tough battle."

On the men's side, top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia overcame a second-set scare to beat unseeded German Florian Mayer, 6-1, 6-4, and return the final, which he last won in 2010.

Third seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga entered the final earlier when Feliciano Lopez of Spain retired down, 6-1, 4-1. The Frenchman will compete against the Serb for the champion's prize money of $ 530,570 and 500 ranking points.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn